SAS Handbook

This handbook is dedicated to those resolute Scots who founded the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal and to all those volunteers who, especially during times of adversity, showed such benevolent concern for their less fortunate compatriots. Thanks to them, and all those who have continued to give so generously of their time and effort, the Society and our Scottish culture and traditions remain as steadfast today as they were in 1835.

Learning to feel at home in a strange land is a long struggle for some immigrants and a gentle adjustment for others. However fast or slow the adaptation, very few forget the land they left behind and most bring parts of it with thein. As a result, in communities across Canada, settlers recreated the hest of their homeland in their adopted country.For 16$years, the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal has been the caretaker of a long list of Scottish traditions. Perhaps the proudest is their admirable record of educational and financial assistance to people of Scottish birth or descent. The Society has also been a centre of social and cultural activities including the Burns Night and the famous St. Andrew's Ball.As Governor General of Canada, I congratulate the members of the St. Andrew's Society on your contributions to your city. When your ancestors came to this land, they brought with them many customs -- pipes and drums, immortal poetry and the spirit of service — that have preserved the heart of Scotland here in Canada. I thank you for your past achievements and I send you my best wishes for success in all your future endeavours.Adrienne Clarkson

President's MessageThe start of a new century and indeed millennium is a suitably auspicious time to publish this newly revised and updated handbook of the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal. The previous two editions were published in 1952 and 1973. The Society celebrated its 165`h anniversary in the year 2000, and I hope that this booklet provides members and any other interested parties with an appreciation of the Society's rich history, traditions and activities.The Society was formed in 1935 with the purposes of providing welfare and educational assistance to those of Scottish descent and sustaining Scottish culture and traditions within the local community. Although government welfare programmes have become increasingly important in recent decades, there continues to be a great need for the kind of help provided by the Society and our Education and Welfare Committees remain extremely active.The influx of first-generation Scots to Montreal has declined to a trickle, but thousands of the city's residents can claim Scottish ancestry. It is thus as important as ever that we sustain the Scottish cultural heritage that has been an integral part of Montreal society for more than 300 years. To this end, the Society provides financial support to a number of Scottish-related organizations such as the Black Watch Pipes and Drums and the Montreal Highland Dance Association. Also, annual functions such as our gala St. Andrew's Ball and a traditional Burns Supper help to keep Scottish traditions alive. Although membership in the Society used to be available only to people of Scottish descent, a new class of Associate Membership is open to anyone who is interested in and supports our objectives.All organizations such as the St. Andrew's Society depend on the participation and commitment of their membership. In this respect, the Society has always been fortunate to have benefited from a core group of dedicated and active members to run the various committees and organize the annual events. We have also been fortunate in attracting an increasing number of younger members in recent years. However, we cannot rest on our laurels. The Society will prosper only if we maintain a high level of participation and 1 urge you all to become involved and to encourage friends and acquaintances to join.I am extremely confident that the Society will continue to thrive in the years and decades ahead. Historical and cultural ties will always remain precious, especially in a world where the spread of information technology is breaking down global barriers. The St. Andrew's Society of Montreal will proudly continue to make an important contribution to the local community through its charitable and cultural activities.We are grateful for the financial support of the Macdonald Stewart Foundation in producing this handbook and would also like to thank them for the excellent office space that they have provided to the Society since 1977.

Martin H. Barnes, President

Who We AreCharter in 1858 and were confirmed when it was amended in 1948. They still govern us.The St. Andrew's Society of Montreal, which was founded in 1835, is one of many St. Andrew's Societies around the world, all named in honour of' the Apostle Andrew -Scotland's patron saint.The function of our Society is to sustain and encourage less fortunate kin, help educate the young and maintain Scottish traditions in our community. At an organizational meeting in 1835, it was said that the Society was being formed "with a view to regulating charity in a systematic manner" and "to advance the cause and welfare of Scotsmen and their These principles were spelled out in the Society'sThe Society was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in 1858 and the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal Charitable Fund, which is a registered Canadian charity, was established by the Society in 1985. The affairs and business of the Society are governed by a Council and managed by a Committee of Management. Under the Council there are several active committees including the Welfare, Education, Finance, Membership and Activities and the Ball Committee. With the exception of a part-time Executive Secretary, all of the Society's activities are administered by volunteers from within the membership of the Society.

The Founding YearsBy the 1830s, the Scots in Montreal had made a strong imprint on the city and its development, not only in the long-time fur trade but also in the world of banking, finance, commerce, transportation and governmental affairs. Whether or not any of them observed the anniversary of their patron saint before the beginning of the 19th century is a matter of conjecture but according to the Gazette report on December 3rd, 1804, the "Sons of' St. Andrew" held "a very pleasant and sociable meeting of a few select sons to celebrate the anniversary of the titular Saint at Gillies Coffee House on Friday last".

The coat of arms of the City of Montrealincludes the Scottish Thistle

From then on, some form of national festivity most likely took place each year -such as the first recorded St. Andrew's Ball of 1816. However, it was not until the St. Andrew's Day celebration of 1834 that some of the most active and patriotic amongst the Scottish residents in Montreal resolved to found the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal. November 30th having been a Sunday, they gathered at the Albion Hotel on December Is' to celebrate the feast day of their patron saint. In an atmosphere of goodwill and nationalistic enthusiasm, the 120 participants at the meeting, chaired by the Hon. Adam Ferrie, agreed to form a charitable society. Its aims would be to preserve Scottish traditions and relieve the distress of their unfortunate fellow-countrymen who were arriving at the Port of Montreal in ever-increasing numbers -strangers in a foreign country without any assistance or guidance, as governmental aid at that time was non-existent.Subsequently, upon agreement by all, 400 circulars were sent out to "the leading, most influential and respectable of' their counti?-men" and notices were advertised in the newspapers inviting those of Scottish birth or descent to attend a meeting on February 6'h, 1835 at the North West buildings on St. Gabriel Street with a view to forming a St. Andrew's Society and adopting a constitution for its management. The Hon. Peter McGill was, by acclamation, called to the chair and the constitution, based on that of the St. Andrew's Society of New York, with minor alterations, was adopted. Those in attendance were invited to become members by subscribing their names to the constitution. A further meeting was held on March 9th, 1835 at Mr. John Fisher's premises on St. Paul Street, chaired by George Auldjo, Esq., where the following were elected to serve until November 30th, 1835:

At the first meeting of officers on March 27th at Orr's Hotel on Notre Dame Street, it was decided to acquire a common seal and to approve designs for an ornamental Certificate of Membership. The printing of 500 copies of the constitution for distribution to the members was also authorised. At later meetings in April and May, it was resolved that orders for flags, banners and transparencies, for use at the first anniversary festival in November, should be transmitted to Scotland with the instructions that they be "handsome but not too costly". Also included in the order were the collars and badges for the President, Vice Presidents and Office Bearers.It was also resolved that the President and Secretary should obtain from Scotland an order of heather, broom, whin and thistles, as well as an anker of genuine "Mountain Dew "' for use at the newly-formed Society's first St. Andrew's Day festival. The letter containing the order, dated June 8th, was addressed to Messrs. George and James Robertson, relatives of Dr. Robertson, at Register House, Edinburgh. On the recommendation of the subcommittee, it was decided to obtain the banner of St. Andrew in Montreal rather than order it from Scotland. Subsequently, the ladies associated with the members kindly offered to make one and present it to the Society.Thus commenced the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal under the competent guidance of the Hon. Peter McGill, President of the Montreal Bank (Bank of Montreal), the Hon. Adam Ferric, businessman and parliamentarian and John Boston, Esq., lawyer, businessman and Sheriff. All of these highly respected men of integrity were Scottish-born and educated.While the formation of the St. Andrew's Society and concurrently the other national societies of Montreal may, in part, be attributed to the political disturbances of 1834, the main reason for their origin was to an anker of genuine 'Mountain Dew' was a four gallon cask of whisky provide relief and comfort to their less fortunate brethren, many of whom were victims of famine or the Highland Clearances.Prior to the first St. Andrew's Day Meeting on November 30th, 1835, it was reported that 384 members had been enrolled. The Earl of Dalhousie, a former Governor General of Canada, had also requested to be enrolled as a member and had offered to assist in obtaining the flags and decorations in Edinburgh. His proposal was heartily received and he was immediately elected as the Society's first Honorary Member.At the meeting on the morning of November 30th, the Earl of Selkirk, at his own request, was proposed and elected as a Life Member. Then, two gentlemen deputised by the ladies, many of whom were in attendance, presented the promised silken banner of Saint Andrew to the Society, accompanied by a letter signed by Eliza McGill. In his reply of thanks, the President remarked that: "It is well known to all the world, that the ladies of Scotland have ever been "ready, aye ready " to further the cause of charity and to contribute to everything having a tendency to increase the honour and respectability of their country and countrymen.The banner was described as "exquisite and costly alike in its material and workmanship " and as the order for the other flags and decorations had not yet arrived from Edinburgh, it was doubly appreciated. At the conclusion of the anniversary meeting, the members of the recently formed St. Andrew's Society of Montreal, accompanied by the other national societies, walked in procession to St. Gabriel Street Church, where the Rev. Mr. Esson preached a sermon. In the evening, 150 members and guests (including five pipers - later approved as "Pipers to the Society") dined together at Rasco's Hotel.St. Gabriel Street Church. Champ de Mars,Montreal, QC, ca. 1865, MP-0000.10.145, McCordMuseum of Canadian History, MontrealAt the time of their almost simultaneous inception, all four societies, St. George's, St. Patrick's, the German and St. Andrew's entered into an arrangement whereby they would all participate in each other's Church Parade on their respective anniversary day. This practice was followed until the 1837 Rebellion, at which time it was discontinued. This friendly co-operation between all the sister societies has continued throughout the years, their representatives still faithfully attending each other's annual festival celebration today.When the St. Andrew's Society's first President, the Hon. Peter McGill attended the St. Patrick's Society's Banquet on March 17th, 1836, he remarked on the similarities of their organizations, stating that the national societies: "originated from motives the most praiseworthy in times most trying for friends, the most holy and patriotic and though the objects they have respectively in view may not be precisely the .same in detail, yet the grand and essential features of the associations indicate the same noble put-poses; the promulgation of the benevolent and kindlier feelings of ow- nature, the cultivation of brotherly love and charity, of peace and good order in society, the relief of our indigent and distressed fellow-countrymen and, if need should be, the preservation oil of our social anal political interests, the conservation unimpaired of our happy form of government, the maintenance of that connection, happily subsisting between this colony and the Empire and last, but not least, the enjoyment of innocent festivity and social intercourse, in celebrating the anniversary of ow- respective patron saintsLater in 1836, a letter was received from the Earl of Dalhousie expressing his gratitude at having been elected an Honorary Member. He enclosed the sum of £100 "to aid in the relief of such distressed countrvmen as reached these shores from whatever cause". In acknowledging this gift, the President was asked to convey the high feelings of gratitude, admiration and esteem which the members entertained for his kindness. In March 1837, a bizarre incident occurred when a British newspaper reported the death of the Earl of Dalhousie. A meeting of the office bearers was immediately summoned and a notice was issued to the members in general requesting them to go into mourning for thirty days. On March 17th, while the Society members in deep mourning were accompanying the St. Patrick's Association to church, word was received from Britain that the report was untrue, the Earl still being "in the enjoyment of his usual health". Perhaps the false report was a premonition because on March 17th of the following year authentic news was received that the Earl of Dalhousie had indeed died. Members of the Society, who had lost a truly good friend and supporter, went into mourning for thirty days as a mark of respect to the memory of a noble gentleman who would not soon be forgotten. At an annual dinner more than ten years later the Hon. Peter McGill proposed a toast to "the memory (?/' the Earl of Dalhousie, the first patron of the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal". This salute was drunk in solemn silence, followed by the sound of the pipes playing "The Flowers of the Forest".The long-threatened rebellion broke out on November 6th, 1837. The Loyalist members of the Society were immediately put under arms to assist in maintaining possession of the country against the uprising led by the "Fits de la Liberté'. The customary November 30"' procession was cancelled at the request of the Magistrates, and at a subsequent meeting of the Office Bearers it was also decided to cancel the dinner because most of the members would be on military duty. Nevertheless, about thirty of the members gathered at Orr's Hotel for supper to celebrate the Anniversary as well as the news that Colonel Wetherell and the Royal Regiment had just that day returned to town from St. Charles, bringing with them a large number of prisoners.In 1838 there was another uprising, on November 3rd, and the members were once again put under arms. However, as a much larger body of regular troops was available than in the previous year, it was resolved to observe the Anniversary Festival by a procession and dinner. On November 30", therefore, the Society walked in procession to St. Gabriel Street Church and in the evening seventy members and guests dined together at Orr's Hotel. After the toast "Our motto - 'Relieve the Distressed'", President McGill addressed the company in regard to the destitute widows and orphans of the volunteers who had died at Lacolle and Odelltown while opposing a large band of rebels who had gathered on the American side of the line a few days previously. He opened the subscription list with "the handsome sum of Ten Pounds" and in a few minutes £60 was raised and sent to Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, Commander at the frontier, for his further action.Two years later, fifty members acting as individuals, but not the Society itself. participated in a fund for the purchase of what to admirers of Scotland's National Bard was, and is, a valued historical item- the Bible which Robert Burns gave to his cherished "Highland Mary" at their final parting on May 14th, 1786. It consists of two volumes, bound in calf with gilt edges. Traces of their names and Burns' Masonic mark are on the flyleaf of Volume One, and a lock of Mary Campbell's hair is attached to one of the other pages. After Mary's untimely death in October 1786, the Bible remained with the Campbell family in Scotland until her nephew, William Anderson, set sail from Greenock to New York in 1834, with the two volumes in his possession. He was bound for Upper Canada and settled in the township of Caledon. Six years later, living in Toronto and in poor circumstances, he offered the Bible for sale in Montreal in the hope that, apart from monetary aid to himself, the two small volumes would be secured in a place of safekeeping. The two volumes were purchased for £25 from funds raised by a Subscription Committee, chaired by a Society member, Robert Weir, Jr., Editor and Proprietor of the "Montreal Herald". At a meeting of the seventy subscribers, it was resolved that the Bible should be sent to Scotland and deposited in the Burns Monument in Alloway. Mr. Weir, as Chairman, arranged for its transportation, with the accompanying documents and list of subscribers, to his father, Robert Weir, Sr., in Glasgow who handed the total consignment to the Provost of Ayr. The Bible was deposited in the Monument but some time later the accompanying documents were offered for sale by a bookseller in Edinburgh. "Through the energetic of forts of Provost Goodie of Ayr and Mr. W H. Dunlop of Doonside, Secretary to the Burns' Monument Trustees, they were purchased by the Trustees and placed in the Monument beside the Bible".The list of subscribers. handwritten by one of the Society's members. James M. Millar, begins with the following names: Hon. Peter McGill, President and Mayor of Montreal. Rev. Henry Esson, Chaplain, Dr. McCulloch. J.C. Becket. Chairman-Charity, John Boston. Vice President - all of them officers of the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal. Altogether fifty of the seventy subscribers were identified as members of the Society.'*This was apparently another instance in which the Society could not take an official part in, or contribute from its funds, but one which the members carried through as private individuals. It was a very commendable and praiseworthy action and has been greatly appreciated by the Scottish people and Burns' Societies all over the world.”To commemorate the Society's Sesquicentenary in 1985, the two small volumes again crossed the Atlantic to be displayed for one year at the exhibition at the McCord Museum entitled "A Celebration: St. Andrew's Society of Montreal, 1835-1985". They had been graciously loaned by the Burns Monument Trustees and were personally returned by the Society's Historian to their Curator at the Museum in Alloway on October 20th, 1986, the 200th anniversary of Highland Mary's death."But still within my bosom's core, Shall live my Highland Mary "Robert BurnsOn September 20th, 1841, a special meeting of the Office Bearers was summoned in response to an urgent appeal from the Emigration Association of the District of St. Francis for charitable aid on behalf of 229 destitute Scottish immigrants, recently arrived in the Eastern Townships from the Isle of Lewis. The settlers, described as being "of' good character and morality", were in desperate need of provisions in order to survive their first Canadian winter. Due to the urgent nature of the situation and because the Society's Constitution did not apply to such cases outside the city of Montreal, the elected Office Bearers immediately formed a special committee to collect subscriptions from the Society's members and others. The committee raised almost £235, and it was recorded that:"were it not for the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal, every soul of them would have starved to death that winter in a strange land - their only support being contributions from the charitable inhabitants of the town of Sherbrooke and its neighbourhood".Lake St. Louis was the scene of a tragic accident on July 8", 1842 when a small high-pressure steamer, the "Shamrock", burst her boiler shortly after leaving Lachine. The force of the explosion blew the bow completely out of the boat which sank almost immediately, drowning sixty passengers. Among the survivors were a number of Scottish immigrants. As they had lost all their possessions, an appeal was made to the St. Andrew's Society but the same constraint that prevented the use of the Society's funds to assist the Lewis immigrants also applied in this particular case. Once again, members and others were asked to contribute and the money raised was sent to the Rev. John Taylor of Lachine for distribution to the Scottish survivors.At the November annual meeting, instructions were given to the President, Treasurer and Secretary to invest in Montreal Bank stock "as much of the permanent funds as could conveniently be spared". The following November the President announced that in compliance with the order given in November 1842, he had purchased twelve shares of the stock at the price of £51.10s per share or three percent premium, to be held in the names of the President, Treasurer and Secretary. This first recorded investment transaction substantiated the widely held view that the Scots and banking, sooner or later, gravitate towards one another.As it was in 1836, at the opening of Canada's first railway, the St. Lawrence & Champlain Railroad, so also was it an eventful occasion at the commencement of the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railway on August 8th, 1846. There was great excitement and celebration in the city of Montreal. The St. Andrew's Society loaned its banners for the occasion and participated in the ceremonies at Champ-de-Mars. This was an era of firsts particularly in the field of telecommunications, steamships and railroad transportation. These new developments brought prosperity to many in Montreal and the resulting enthusiasm is understandable. For example, ten years later the report of the Society's meeting of November 13th, 1856 (relating to the St. Andrew's Day plans) reads: "The e Preparatory Meeting was held this evening but no business was done, it being resolved that in consequence of the excitement caused by the railroad celebration, the meeting adjourn till the 17th instant".This celebration evidently referred to the opening of Grand Trunk's first line between Montreal and Toronto, a fifteen-hour journey according to records.It was also in 1846 that the Society reluctantly accepted the resignation of its first President, the Hon. Peter McGill. After thanking the Society for "the repeated marks of their confidence shown in electing him as their presiding officer" he declined re-election as President from a belief that "rotation of the office would be an advantage to the SocietyOn January 29th of the following year, the St. Andrew's Society joined the other national societies in a combined procession to honour the entry of the Governor General, The Rt. Hon. James Bruce, The Earl of Elgin, into the city. The month following, at a meeting of the Society on February 11th, it was unanimously agreed that both the Earl of Elgin and Colonel, The Hon. Robert Bruce be admitted as Honorary Members and to request Lord Elgin to allow enrolment of his name as patron to the St. Andrew's Society, to which His Excellency later signified his acceptance.From the Society's inception and until 1876, with few exceptions, members honoured the anniversary of Scotland's patron saint on November 30th by walking in procession from the location of their annual meeting to the church, which had been chosen for that year's special sermon. The Society's banners were always carried with pride, and on many occasions regimental pipers accompanied theparticipants. In the evening, they customarily attended a dinner at one of the local hotels. However, for the 1848 celebrations, proposals were approved for a Caledonian Assembly at Donegana's Hotel. Among the guests were the Governor General, The Earl of Elgin, Lady Alice Lambton, Colonel Bruce and Mrs. Bruce; and also Lord Mark Kerr. From all accounts, it was "a splendid affair" much enjoyed by all those present as well as His Excellency and his entourage, who stayed until "the wee short hours ayont the twal ".The celebration of 1848 was in sharp contrast to a distressing event that occurred in the spring of the following year. Recognizing the property losses and damages sustained in Lower Canada during the rebellions of 1837 and 1838, Parliament, in 1849, passed the Act of Indemnification (known as the Rebellion Losses Bill). This controversial Bill, which would indemnify all who had incurred losses, be they Loyalists or Rebels, was immediately denounced as: "a revolutionary measure, unprecedented in the history of civilized nations, by which the victorious defenders of the Throne are to be taxed to pay the losses of the defeated rebels".On the afternoon of April 25h, 1849, prior to the arrival of the Governor General at the Parliament Building in St. Ann's Market, the Loyalist opponents of the Bill crowded into the Chamber's galleries where they quietly remained throughout the proceedings until the moment when Lord Elgin. as the Crown's representative, gave his assent to the contentious Bill. Thereupon, the previously silent spectators made a deliberately noisy exodus and joined the angry crowd outside. On his emergence from the building, the Governor General was greeted with jeering and catcalls, and then pelted with eggs and refuse. His open landau provided little if any protection, but thanks to the speed of his horses he was able to reach his residence at Monklands in safety. After a massed meeting that evening at Champ-de-Mars an unruly crowd, some carrying lighted torches, marched to the Parliament Building bent on destruction. Following the rioting and later explosion, fire finally consumed the whole structure. Not only did Montreal lose its Parliament Building because of these actions but also its opportunity to be the country's seat of government.As many of the Society's members had served as "victorious defenders of the Throne" it was not surprising that three days later President (Sir) Hugh Allan called a special meeting. It was resolved and unanimously carried by the seventy-one members present: "that the Earl of Elgin having so conducted himself in his Government as to insult and outrage the feelings of every British subject in Canada, and to disgrace the Scottish name, this Society, with the deepest regret, considers him unworthy to continue longer as its Patron and that he be, therefore, from henceforth, removed from that office" and "that the name of the Earl of Elgin be erased from the list of Honorary members of the Saint Andrew's Society ".The Secretary was then instructed, "to intimate the resolutions to His Lordship ". Not all of the Society's members, however, were in agreement with the decision. For example, it is recorded in the same minutes that "John Boston, Esq. (Past President) having entered the room and finding that the resolution had been carried, left the meeting". Others also may have been in disagreement because at a later meeting in 1851, a resolution was proposed and unanimously carried "that those who had left the Society from conscientious scruples and who might wish to join again be readmitted without entrance fee ".By the month of November, 1849, however, ill feelings still prevailed within the Society on the matter, as witnessed by the lengthy discussions at three meetings regarding whether or not the toast to the Governor General should be included on the proposed toast list for the St. Andrew's Dinner. Not until the third meeting on the 27th was the proposal finally carried that the toast should be included on the list, and given from the Chair. Nevertheless, on the evening of November 3th the Society was divided into two companies. One group dined at Compain's Hotel and the other, chaired by President Allan, at Mack's Hotel where he proposed the toast "To the Governor General" adding that "it was the duty of all good subjects to respect the office, whatever might he their opinion respecting the individual who held it". The majority of those present, however, chose to ignore the salutation.The furore had evidently subsided by the fall of 1851, when Lord Elgin visited the city. It was recorded that after an exchange of speeches many came forward to shake his hand and at his departure, thousands gathered on the quay to wish him a safe journey. "Such is the record of the only excursion of the Society into the political arena ". It was also the only time the Society's members officially chastised the actions of a Scottish Peer of the Realm, and especially one who was a descendant of Robert the Bruce.More than one hundred years later, it was a case of "let bygones be bygones", when the St. Andrew's Society invited Lord Elgin's descendant, the Rt. Hon., The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine to be Guest of Honour at the St. Andrew's Ball of 1972 and also to become an Honorary Member of the Society, which he graciously accepted. He would later present the Society's President with an inscribed silver quaich and a scroll that read, in part: "This address is offered on St. Andrew's Day, 1972 by the Earl and Countess of Elgin to restore a friendship between the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal and the Family of Bruce which had lapsed briefly over the past one hundred and twenty-three years ".On November 17th, 1852, at the invitation of the Mayor of Montreal, the St. Andrew's Society joined in the city's mark of respect to the memory of the late Duke of Wellington. The Society's officers and members, with their badges and banners, proceeded to the Cathedral in company with "their brethren of St. George's Society ".For a number of years some members had suggested that a format other than the annual all-male dinners should be established, but with the exception of the Caledonian Assembly in 1848 the dinners continued until 1855 when the Society cooperated with the newly formed Caledonian Society in celebrating the St. Andrew's Anniversary with a soirée. This was pursuant to an amendment of the Society's Constitution, in 1854, with regard to the manner in which the Anniversary should be commemorated. The amendment was that the Society "shall celebrate the day by dining together, or in any other way which the majority of those present at the Preparatory Meeting shall deem advisable".From Left to Right Standing:J. Fulton,D. RoseDr. FinnieJ. RobertsonA. MurrayJ. WrightCol A. A. StevensonAlex. McGibbonSeated:D. CunninghamD. GuthrieCol FletcherWm. Angus

The Caledonian Society was originally formed as an adjunct to the St. Andrew's Society, its principal purpose being the encouragement of Scottish athletic games and sports, history, poetry and song, an annual Halloween concert, and other social activities. The two Societies worked in harmony with one another "sharing the same spirit of patriotism and charity ", and all of the Caledonian Society's surplus proceeds were added to the St. Andrew's Society's charitable funds. Many of its members had joint memberships in both Societies and in later years at least two of the Caledonian Society's Presidents had also held the same office in the St. Andrew's Society.Since its inception, the Society's position in Montreal had been well established and recognized due to its charitable endeavours, particularly its dedicated ministering to the desperate needs of the Scottish immigrants, many arriving from the Highlands and Western Isles. Aid, however, was not only provided to the needy in Montreal, but also to others outside the area by means of subscriptions raised by assigned members. For example, in 1852, a resolution was passed authorising the formation of a committee to take up a subscription in aid of a second group of destitute Lewis immigrants who had settled in Lingwick. On many other occasions, subscription committees were appointed to obtain collections for justifiable purposes far beyond the confines of Montreal and surrounding areas. One such situation arose in 1847 when it was described "that the meeting deeply deplores the misery and destitution to which a large portion of the inhabitants of the Highlands of Scotland are reduced by the failure of their crops during the past year and considers it a duty incumbent upon them to do all in their power to aid in mitigating the distresswhich it has pleased Providence to inflict upon their country-men ".Also, during the Crimean War, the sum of £372 was raised in contributions and sent to the Patriotic Fund in the United Kingdom for the benefit of the widows and children of "those brave men who have perished in the service of their country". When in 1856 a request was received from Scotland to raise funds towards the erection of a monument to William Wallace at Stirling, the Society enthusiastically complied and a committee was appointed to join with the Caledonian Society in obtaining subscriptions from the Scottish community. The outcome was the remittance of a "handsome donation" to the National Fund in Scotland.In the spring of 1857, a special committee reported on an experimental trial that had been conducted by the Society with regard to the use and maintenance of a Home as a temporary shelter for transient immigrants and homeless Scots. Subsequently, a house on Hermine Street was leased for a six-month period and the President guaranteed the rental charges. Gratified by the project's success, the Society decided to lease a larger three-storey house on St. George Street for a period of seven years. The Charitable and Educational Endeavours section of this handbook includes more information on the various homes operated by the Society over the years.In 1858, the Society was incorporated as a non-profit corporation by Act 22 Victoria Cap. 138 of the Statutes of the Province of Canada to facilitate the execution of its objectives and affairs. On September I" of that same year, at the invitation of the Mayor of Montreal, the national societies marched in the city's procession to commemorate the successful laying of the Atlantic telegraph cable. The members of the St. Andrew's Society "mustered strongly at the Mechanics Institute and proceeded to the Champ-de-Mars, accompanied by the Caledonian and Thistle Societies, headed by a piper and MacPherson's Independent Band, and there joined in the procession which marched through the principal streets ".January 25th, 1859 being the Centennial of Robert Burns' birth, the Caledonian Society had requested the St. Andrew's Society's co-operation in holding a concert and ball to celebrate the occasion. After discussion, however, it was decided that the Burns Centenary celebration should be held under the auspices of the recently formed "Burns Club". A banquet was subsequently held in the City Concert Hall at Bonsecours Market, chaired by the Hon. John Rose, Past President of the St. Andrew's Society, the assemblage being described "as brilliant as any, y, perhaps, that ever met within its walls".For many years after the 1859 commemoration, the Scottish community of Montreal had wanted to erect a monument in memory of Scotland's national bard. However, it would not be until the next century that the dream would be transformed into reality when the Society became unofficially involved after being canvassed by William McBroom of the Ayrshire Association in 1929. Following the standard practice, a special committee was elected to raise the necessary funds and choose the monument, a replica of the one at Ayr in Scotland. The appeal was successful. Members of the Society comprised 85 percent of the subscribers, and their contributions amounted to 95 percent of the total amount raised. To the gratification of the committee, the project was under budget by $25, the final cost being $12,467. It is noteworthy that funding was obtained despite the stock market crash of 1929 and the ensuing depression. The unveiling of the monument at the northwest corner of Dominion Square (laterDorchester Square) took place on October 18th, 1930 before the largest gathering of Scots ever assembled in the city of Montreal.The site was graciously granted by the Mayor and City Councilors of Montreal. It was no coincidence that the monument faced the Windsor Hotel where so many St. Andrew's Balls had been held since 1878. The panels on its base depict scenes from three of Burns' well-known poems: "Tam o' Shanter", "The Cotter's Saturday Night" and "To a Mountain Dais v". On the front are the poet's name and the quotation:"It's comin' yet for a' thatThat man to man the world oer Shall brithers be fora ' that. "As a further note of interest, on July 21s', 1996 a wreath-laying ceremony, organized wreath-laying by the Society, was held at the monument to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the poet's death.On July 11 th, 1859, a Subscription Committee was appointed to raise funds in the amount of £75 in aid of the starving and destitute inhabitants of the townships of Bruce and Kinloss in the county of Bruce, Canada West where their crops had failed. The financial details, however, were decidedly different from any previous procedure in that the committee was authorized to loan the said amount to the two townships on the security of debentures payable in two years. The letter enclosing a Bank of Montreal draft expressed regret that the amount could not be larger. The draft was "handsomely acknowledged" and by November of the following year the loan was re-paid by bond, which matured the following May. The promptness of settlement was immediately and gratefully acknowledged.At 8 a.m. on August 25th, 1860, the Society's members met at the Mechanics' Hall. Led by three pipers, they marched to the Champ-de-Mars to join the procession in honour of H.R.H., The Prince of Wales on his arrival in Montreal where, during his visit, he laid the commemorative stone and drove home the last rivet of silver on the recently completed Victoria Bridge. The city was not only adorned for the weeklong event but was also aglow, indoors and out, by "the modern type of illumination" - gaslight.One of the outstanding events in the year 1862 was a musical festival, at which Sir William Dawson and the Hon. Thomas D'Arcy McGee were the principal speakers. The "generous" proceeds, due to the eloquence of those two celebrated gentlemen, were donated to the St. Andrew's Society's Charitable Fund. McGee was a frequent speaker at the Society's events, and its benevolent endeavours always met with "a very warmhearted and generous response from himIn his speech, he praised the remarkable efforts of the Ladies Committees and the St.Andrew's Home: "They hold the National maxim that no man need for "honest poverty hang down his head and a' that". They listen to the stories of' those whose lives have been woven closely with struggling and with suffering; they stretch down and they lift up; they give cheerfully yet measure wisely what they give to the fatherless, the 'friendless and the stranger within our gates ".This astute observation and praise of their benevolent deeds was much appreciated by the Charitable Committee.When McGee was assassinated in April 1868, the Society "feeling their deep obligation for his many acts of kindness", adopted the following motion: "That in order to show the appreciation of this Society of Mr. McGee's worth, as a public man and a statesman, and their gratitude fir the sympathy and assistance he extended to it on so many occasions, it is resolved that this society do attend his funeral in a body, wearing suitable mourning badges".During their term of service in Montreal, the officers and men of the 78th Highland Regiment (Ross-shire Buffs) had on many occasions provided assistance to the Society, the Pipers of the Regiment having often performed in the St. Andrew's Home. They had also marched and played most impressively in the Society's annual St. Andrew's Day processions, and with their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Colin MacKenzie attended the Society's annual dinner on November 30th, 1868. This famous regiment, later known as the Seaforth Highlanders, was held in high esteem by the St. Andrew's Society and the entire Scottish community. Eleven years earlier, in India, as the 78th fought its way through to relieve the Residency at Lucknow in 1857, it was the sound of the pipes playing "The Campbells Are Coming" that gave encouragement to the beleaguered defenders. Those same pipes of Lucknow fame were proudly played and proudly heard each time the regiment marched through the streets of Montreal. When the regiment departed in May 1869, the Society presented Lieutenant-Colonel MacKenzie with a letter of appreciation that read in part: "The St. Andrew's Society of Montreal cannot permit the gallant 78th to leave the City without expressing the deep feeling of regret which their approaching departure has awakened in the minds of their fellow countrymen in the City of Montreal. The Society cheerfully avails itself of this occasion to bear testimony to the exemplary behaviour of the 78th since its arrival here and trusts that the high character which the Regiment has always borne, will prove a passport to the affections of their Countrymen in whatever quarter of the world Providence may cast their lot ".In 1873, the Society's representatives met with those from the other national societies to discuss the protection of immigrants on their arrival in the city and to jointly take the necessary measures to remedy the situation. It was also resolved to accept the invitation to attend the funeral of Sir George Etienne Cartier, in company with the other Societies.At the Preparatory Meeting in November 1876, it was proposed that the annual procession be discontinued. This motion was carried by a majority but another motion to increase the members' annual subscription from $2 to $4 was defeated.In 1881, the Society's outstanding debt was cancelled thanks to the President's successful efforts in obtaining the amount of $3,400 by subscriptions. "A motion thanking him for his energetic action was carried amidst applause ".On May 5" of the same year, a small booklet of the revised By-Laws of the Society, together with the Act of Incorporation (1858) and a list of members was published. This would seem to be the first such publication since the issuance of the Narrative of the Proceedings of the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal by (Sir) Hugh Allan in 1855 which was also published in booklet form.With regard to the Society's burial lots in Mount Royal Cemetery, the first one was donated in 1857 by the Mount Royal Cemetery Company. The location was carefully selected by the Society with a view to the future purchase of the adjoining lot. After this purchase, two more lots were donated, one by the Mount Royal Cemetery Company and the other by President Alex McGibbon. It should be mentioned that, prior to 1857, the Society had acquired gravesites in other cemeteries but as the years progressed additional lots were purchased in the Mount Royal Cemetery. In all, more than 300 Scots, or those of Scottish descent, have been buried in these gravesites at the Society's expense, each one honoured by a befitting funeral service. In the years 1883 and 1884 a total of $600 was voted towards the erection of a monument to commemorate the Scottish immigrants who had perished in the burning of the S.S. "Montreal" in 1857. At their burial site, a later monument to their memory was unveiled in 1982 by the Guest of Honour for that year's Ball, The Rt. Hon., The Earl of Mansfield. Previously, in 1953, an appropriate granite memorial was also unveiled at the location of the other gravesite.The exchange of St. Andrew's Day greetings, by telegraph, between the Society and other Scottish associations began in 1864. The first such message, to which the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal replied in kind, was sent from the Hamilton Society. By November 30th, 1875, greetings were being exchanged "with sister societies throughout the world". Although the telegraph is no longer used, this tradition still continues.Owing to floods and the alarming smallpox epidemic in the city, it was decided to cancel the Society's Jubilee celebrations in 1885. The following year, however, there was a special church service at St. Paul's where the Rev. James Barclay preached the sermon - "ye shall hallow the fiftieth year". In closing his address, he remarked that "we give thanks today alike for the land to which ire have come and the land where we were born".In 1898, the Society's motto "Relieve the Distressed" was changed to Scotland's motto which was already shown on the Society's Seal, "Nemo me impure lacessit" ("Touch me not with impunity") or, as one would say in the Scottish vernacular, "Touch me gin ye daur" or ""a' daur meddle wi' me ".Although the Society's debt of $3,400 had been repaid in 1881, it rose steadily in the following years due to the charitable endeavours. However, in 1899, as had been the case eighteen years earlier, another President was successful in raising sufficient funds ($3,480) not only to clear the outstanding debt but also to contribute repairs and new furnishing for the Home, eaving a balance of $140 in the hands of he Treasurer.

St. Andrew's Day Greeting, 1928After several decades of charitable work involving an expenditure of approximately $140,000, the Society made its first appeal the public in November 1904 to raise funds and clear the debt outstanding on the ;t. Andrew's Home. A "Fancy Fair", organised by the ladies of the St. Andrew's Soclety and the Caledonian Society was field at the Windsor Hotel over a four-day )eriod, ending on November 30th. The event, named the "Seven Ages of Women"was a great success with crowds of people waiting in line for hours outside the hotel. An abundance of volunteers was available staff the tables and, as always, there were navy generous donors, in particular Lady Strathcona and Sir William MacDonald. Che event raised almost $9,362, which peared the debt in full and provided funds or the charitable endeavours."Without doubt there is reason to congratulate the Society in its choice of Presidents and to feel gratitude that they have so loyally answered the call ". These words appear in the Society's earlier records and they still hold good today. One has only to study the list of Past Presidents to appreciate how fortunate the Society has been to have had so many prominent and outstanding people at the helm protecting its interests throughout the years. A special notice in the "Gazette" newspaper, published in 1889, noted the remarkable influence of the Scots in Canadian public life. It mentioned ten of the Society's Past Presidents: The Hon. Peter McGill; The Hon. James Ferrier; Sir Hugh Allan; Sir John Rose; The Hon. Alexander Morris; Hon. John Young; Sir Alexander Galt; R. B. Angus; Sir Donald A. Smith (Lord Strathcona); Duncan McIntyre; plus many members including Sir George Stephen (Lord Mount Stephen) and (Sir) Hugh Graham (Lord Atholstan).Sir Donald Smith, Lord StrathconaThanks to their experience and dedicated service throughout these founding years, as well as the devotion of many others, the St. Andrew's Society at the beginning of the20th century was in an excellent position. Its finances were sound, and it had worked diligently in pursuit of its aim to "Relieve the Distressed". The words sent by the Society's President to Queen Victoria on the occasion of her Jubilee Year in 1887 were, therefore, appropriate: "The object of this Society has been, and is, to extend a brotherly hand to all Scotchmen coming to the Dominion; to keep them from poverty, to rescue them from temptation and crime; to save them, from idleness - the parent of both, and the generosity of Scotchmen has enabled the Society most filly to accomplish this object. The aim of the Society has been to treat every Scotch immigrant as a brother, to maintain his self-respect, to find him honourable employment, to surround him at once on his arrival in the new land with all the helpful influences to which he was accustomed in the old. So successfully has this aim been realised that a Scotchmen applying for aid to a charitable institution is a rare exception in Canada; and that the Society numbers now on the roll of its generous benefactors some who were once the grateful recipients of its bounty".By the closing of the 19th century, the original members who had built the Society on a solid foundation had passed away. Their intense deep-rooted patriotism for Scotland had gone with them but they had left behind their traditions and their benevolent concern for less fortunate fellow Scots as a legacy for future generations. Those who followed, while distinctly Canadian, remained proud of their Scottish heritage and traditions. They too, committed themselves to the Society's charitable endeavours with the same enthusiasm and energy as their Scottish predecessors. This continuing dedication to the Society's interests and concerns ensures that the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal is still in that same "excellent position" at the beginning of the 21th century as it was at the beginning of the 20th century. Its well-being is still in good hands - be they Scottish or Canadian.Traditional CelebrationsIt is a well-known fact that the Scots have always appreciated the "enjoyment of innocent festivity" in celebrating the anniversary of St. Andrew, as did those who attended Montreal's first recorded St. Andrew's Ball at the Mansion Hotel near the north end of St. Paul Street on December 2"d, 1816. The event was described in the Herald, as follows: "On Monday evening, the principal Tradesmen of this city and vicinity, had a Ball and Supper at Dyde & Co.'s Mansion House Hotel, in celebration of the Anniversary of the Tutelar Saint of Scotland. The dancing commenced about 7 o'clock and continued with great spirit till after midnight, when the Company to the number of about 130 sat down to a sumptuous and elegant supper, which reflected great credit on Mrs. Dyde's taste. The supper room was handsomely decorated for the occasion, having at the upper end a transparency representing St. Andrew at full length. After supper the dancing was resumed and continued with much vivacity till after five, when the party retired to their respective homes highly pleased with their entertainment."Eighteen years later, the same Scottish exuberance was displayed at another St. Andrew's Day celebration on December 1st, 1834 amidst nationalistic speeches, toasts and dedicated commitment to the proposed founding of the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal and its charitable endeavours. The 120 gentlemen present all appreciated the good-humoured ambiance of the gathering where "the utmost good feeling and hilarity prevailed", to such an extent that while "the company thinned-out fast at 2 a.m." the Chairman, the Hon. Adam Ferrie along with the few "who saw it out" danced a "Highland Fling" before departing at 5 a.m., after imbibing a few hot toddies made with "fine Highland whisky".In the early years, the November 30th anniversary dinners were attended by the gentlemen members and invited guests. The first one organized by the Society being in 1835 at Rasco's Hotel with 150 "at table" and where the toasts were plentiful (sixteen or more) accompanied, presumably, with just as many tastings of "Mountain Dew" -all interspersed with Scottish songs and music. The first change to this format was the proposal for a Caledonian Assembly, which took place at Donegana's Hotel in 1848 attended by the Governor General, The Earl of Elgin. A contemporary report describing the brilliancy of the event stated that: "we hope we shall prove no false prophet in predicting its annual recurrence whenever the revolving year brings round the festival of St. Andrew". This prediction, however, would not materialise until 1871. The dinners continued but in 1854 the Constitution was altered making it possible to celebrate the day either by a dinner "or in any other way deemed advisable ". Subsequently, from 1855, most of the social events took the form of a concert or a soirée. The concerts always seemed to be well attended; one, for example, was a Promenade Concert held at City Hall on March 23rd, 1858 with an audience of over 2,000 people, which greatly increased the net proceeds for the Society's charitable endeavours.The first St. Andrew's Ball to be held under the auspices of the Society took place on November 30th, 1871 at the St. Lawrence Hall. It was described by the Montreal Herald as being one of the most enjoyable of the season and was also referred to in the Society's report as having been "numerously attended and the festivities passed off with great spirit and success". From then on, the St. Andrew's Society Balls were established as notable annual events. On a few occasions, however, they were replaced by a dinner or banquet, and cancelled in times of adversity.The most famous Ball of all, attended by the Governor General, the Marquis of Lorne and H.R.H. Princess Louise was held at the newly opened Windsor Hotel in 1878. The splendid event was recorded for posterity by Notman's well-known composite photograph. Unfortunately, the Jubilee Ball planned for 1885 was cancelled, as were all social activities, because of floods and a serious smallpox epidemic. However, at the closing of the Jubilee year, a magnificent Ball was held at the Windsor Hotel. It was matched only by the pageantry and decor of the 1893 Ball at which the Governor General, the Earl of Aberdeen, and the Countess of Aberdeen, were the Guests of Honour. The Earl arrived wearing the full dress uniform of the Royal Body Guard of Scotland, accompanied by the Countess handsomely attired in grey brocade, wearing a woven sash of Gordon tartan and a tiara of diamond stars. While she "scintillated with diamonds" the tartan bow on her shoulder was fastened by an appropriate "enamelled maple leaf' brooch. It would appear that the impressive Lady Aberdeen, who founded the Victorian Order of Nurses and other good causes in Canada, was the first lady to be recorded as wearing a tartan sash at a St. Andrew's Ball in Montreal. The Grand March to the Ballroom was led by the Pipe Major of The Royal Scots, followed by nine pipers, each of the ten carrying a different coat of arms on the pipes.In 1900, at the first Ball of the 20th century, honouring Their Excellencies the Earl and Countess of Minto, the guests were entertained by the full pipe band of The Royal Scots, their pipers also officiating at the "solemn function of the marching-in of the Haggis into the Banquet Hall, the savoury dish being borne in state upon the shoulders of four sturdy men of the Royal Scots in full uniform".Throughout the period when those magnificent and opulent balls of the Victorian era were held in the splendour of the Windsor Hotel, they were indeed the annual highlight of the Montreal social season. The successful and prosperous Montreal Scots took great pride in their ability to honour their patron saint in splendid Scottish fashion and to entertain the Society's illustrious patrons. Underlying the social pleasure and gaiety, however, was the satisfaction that the proceeds from the evening's celebrations would greatly assist their less fortunate compatriots. In the earlier days, it was the proceeds from the concerts that helped to provide the necessary funds for the Society's benevolent endeavours. Now, it is the Ball that has become the largest single source of revenue for the Society's charitable efforts.During the First World War, as in other times of war and adversity, the Society discontinued all social activities; also, at the time of the Depression, the 1931 and 1932 Balls were cancelled. The usual practice was reinstated, however, in time for the 1935 Centennial Ball where among the Head Table guests were "His Worship, Mayor Camilien Houle and Mme. Houle; representatives of the National Societies; prominent Montreal citizens and Past Presidents of the Society".The outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 resulted in the cancellation of the 1942, 1943 and 1944 balls. However, before sailing to assume his duties in the United Kingdom, Lieutenant-General A.G. McNaughton, Officer Commanding Canadian Army Overseas, and Mrs. McNaughton were able to attend the Ball of 1939 as Guests of Honour. Because of "the presence of the many officers in the uniform of their regiments" the event later became known as the "Khaki Ball".Although there had been a Victory Ball al the cessation of hostilities in 1945, the Ball of 1946 was more spectacular, due no doubt to the remarkable efforts of the Ball Chairman, Mrs. Keith Hutchison, O.B.E. who proudly carried the Scottish Saltire (the Society's colours) along Peacock Alley and into the Ballroom of the Windsor Hotel where to the sound of the regimental pipes of The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, eighty radiant debutantes were led into the Ballroom, amidst 2,000 guests, for their presentation to the distinguished Guests of Honour, His Excellency, the Rt. Hon. Viscount Alexander of Tunis, Governor General of Canada and Her Excellency Viscountess Alexander. "The traditional note was everywhere, the same Scottish rites and dances giving historical emphasis to the sceneWith few exceptions, it had been customary at all the Balls to invite the Governor General of Canada as the Guest of Honour, the last such honoured guest being the Rt. Hon. Vincent Massey in 1955. However, since 1952, when Lord and Lady Lovat were the invited guests and with the exception of the year 1955, forty-five representatives of Scotland's peerage have attended the Ball as Guests of Honour; the ancestors of many of them having been Governor Generals of Canada, who had also been the invited guests at the earlier Balls.The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada which had "co-operated closely with the Society and in no small way contributed to the success of the Ball" each year since at least 1930 was honoured at the Ball in 1962 for both the regiment's 100th anniversary and the tenth anniversary of its Cadet Corps.During the FLQ crisis, the St. Andrew's Ball of 1970 "although held under trying conditions" was the only major gala function to be held in the city of Montreal at that time.The St. Andrew's Ball held on November 28th, 1980 was the Society's last one to be held at the Windsor Hotel due to the imminent closure of the hotel in 1981, thus ending a unique relationship that had lasted for almost a century. For a period of eight years the Ball venue was at both the Sheraton Mount Royal Hotel and the Sheraton Le Centre, changing to the Château Champlain in 1989, where it remained for six years. The present location is at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel where the Ball has been held since 1995.In 1985, the Sesquicentennial Ball was held at the Sheraton Le Centre during the tenure of the Society's first lady President, Mrs. Eileen Clark, culminating one year of several well-coordinated events in celebration of the Society's 150th year. The most important of these events was the exhibition "A Celebration: St. Andrew's Society of Montreal, 1835-1985" held at the McCord Museum where it continued to be shown for one year. As an expression of gratitude, the proceeds in the amount of $2,500 from a reception held at the museum to mark the opening of the exhibition were donated by the Society to the McCord Museum.The St. Andrew's Society's long-time association with the national societies, St. George's (until their demise), St. Patrick's and the German, dating back to their similar founding dates, has been a constant, their representatives regularly attending each other's anniversary celebration. Later in the 19th century, the representatives of the Caledonian Society, the Irish Protestant Benevolent Society, the St. David's Society and the St. Jean Baptiste Society were also invited to attend as the Society's guests, as was the Royal Commonwealth Society in the 20th century."There never has been a Ball given by the St. Andrew's Society that did not live long in the memories of those who had the good fortune to be present" and "the gowns worn were extremely handsome and upheld the reputation that Montreal women have of always appearing well dressed".These remarks made in 1899, at the closing Ball of the 19th century, could have applied equally to the last Ball of the 20th century, held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel on November 26th, 1999. The historical traditions carried forward from the Society's earlier years were still as constant at the closing of the 20th century as they had been at the end of the 19th. The debutantes in their white formal gowns were just as charming and the reels and strathspeys were danced with the same exuberance as in former years. The Haggis ceremony and the Toast to the Pipers were carried out, as they had been at so many of the Society's functions since the Society's first official dinner in 1835. The traditions continue and the St. Andrew's Ball also continues as the Society's primary fundraising and social event.Charitable and Educational EndeavoursSince the first famous charitable "Scots Box"' came into existence circa 1611 in London, England, Scottish expatriates, wherever they settled, have had a history of establishing a Scottish Society to assist their Scottish brethren in need of aid. In accordance with this tradition, the Scots in Montreal established their charitable society in 1835. While they may not have acquired an actual "Scots Box" as did the Scots Charitable Society of Boston (founded in 1657 as The Scots Box Society) they proceeded by other means to raise funds and dispense charity to relieve the distress of their fellow countrymen who were arriving at the Port of Montreal in a state of destitution; many of them victims of either the Highland Clearances or famine. Initially, this undertaking was the responsibility of the Society's Chaplains who were later assisted by a Standing Committee, which in 1845 became known as the "Charitable Committee", its weekly meetings being held at Mack's Hotel in Montreal.Throughout the ongoing years, the Society's volunteers untiringly cared for their needy and also newly arrived Scottish brethren in every way possible. Those in transit received aid for their transportation expenses to their final destinations in Upper Canada, Canada West or the United States.

2 The term "Scots Box" originally referred to a box within which was placed monetary donations by the more successful Scottish emigrants to assist their less fortunate compatriots who had also followed their Monarch, King James VI, to the metropolis of London when he inherited the English Crown in 1603.

In 1857, on the advice of the Charitable Committee, the Society decided to take a seven-year lease of a house on St. George Street to provide a Home as a respite for immigrants travelling onwards and also for those Scots in Montreal who, for various reasons, required shelter. The Home. although not quite ready for full operation, was opened on June 11 `h, 1857 under the direction of the Charitable Committee, assisted by a recently formed Committee of Ladies and a newly arrived Superintendent from Scotland. Sixteen days later, all of there would be involved in the Charitable Society's most challenging undertaking in its history - the relief of the Scottish victims in the S.S. "Montreal" disaster which occurred on the St. Lawrence River between Quebec City and Montreal. Out of 450 passengers on board, 320 of whom were newly arrived Scottish immigrants, over 250 perished. Because of the outstanding efforts of the two committees, special mention must be made of their remarkable achievement in handling the situation so efficiently. Within hours of the arrival of the rescue ship S.S. "Napoleon" at the Port of Montreal on the morning of June 27th, 76 Scottish survivors were securely installed in the Home and the committee members and volunteers had begun the task of their identification, especially the orphaned children. Some of those who had perished in the disaster were also identified and prior to their burial, sideby-side in the Society's cemetery lot, their personal belongings were cleaned and preserved for future claiming. The funeral service, attended by the Society's Office Bearers and some of the grieving survivors, was conducted by one of the Society's chaplains. "All but three of the dead were children, two were mothers, one a well-grown lad. " The number of children buried could either be 12 or 13, according to different records of the time.The plight of the survivors was devastating. Many of them, members of families who had crossed the Atlantic anticipating a new life. were now alone and penniless, their worldly possessions lost in the wreck. Some of the immigrants had planned to start-up in business, some were skilled tradesmen and engineers, and a few were professionals. For this reason, it was believed that valuable assets were still on board the "Montreal" which prompted the Society's President to telegraph a contact in Quebec requesting close surveillance of the wreck because "a large amount of money must be in the hold". The Society also engaged a legal advisor in the interest of the survivors and advised all of them to "carefully prepare a statement of their loss previous to leaving the Home and sign a Power of Attorney in favour of the legal advisor authorising him to act on their behalf'. Every class of the community offered assistance, including the Railway, Steamboat, Telegraph and Cemetery companies who gave their services without charge in the interest of the survivors and the deceased. Not only the Scots in Montreal but also others throughout the country and the U.S.A. rallied with offers and substantial donations, as also did the other national societies.Where possible, relatives or friends of the victims were contacted and the survivors, when able, travelled by train to their next destination or returned by ship to their families in Scotland. Prior to departure, each and every one of them was outfitted, provided with appropriate funds, a transportation ticket and a trunk complete with extra clothing and necessities. In one instance, a Bank of Montreal trust fund was established involving an amount of sterling equivalent to $139, found on the body of a drowned father whose young children had miraculously survived. At the age of majority, they later received, by legal discharge, the sum of $335. As always, the untiring efforts of the Society's doctors and chaplains were invaluable. The Society had indeed lived up to its motto "Relieve the Distressed". Under extremely difficult circumstances, it had cared for the wellbeing of the victims, both physically and spiritually. It was published: "If the Society had never done anything more to relieve distress than it did in connection with the frightful calamity, it would have earned the permanent gratitude of all classes of the community ".Letters of appreciation and donations from the grateful survivors as well as many of the relatives in Scotland were received throughout the year, and later.A debt of $400 was incurred during the winter of 1861, as a result of the Charitable Committee's benevolent gesture of opening a soup kitchen for those sheltered in the Home and others in need throughout the city. As usual, the Society in conjunction with the Caledonian and Thistle Societies organised a concert, the Ladies' Committee provisioning a refreshment table. The net proceeds of $382 helped to clear the outstanding debt.The lease on the house in St. George Street having expired, a motion was carried in February 1866 to purchase an available building on Dorchester Street, near St. Urbain, for use as the St. Andrew's Home, provided it could be purchased for the sum of £ 1,100. It was also stipulated that at least three-quarters of this amount be subscribed prior to completion of the purchase. Three months later, with $2,700 subscribed, the deed was passed on April 30th, the owner having agreed to sell at the aforementioned price. Twenty-one years later, the Society would sell the same property for $6,750.On April Oh, 1869 William Scott, nephew of Sir Walter Scott, died in the St. Andrew's Home where he had been in residence for over two years suffering from cancer. He was well known to Past President John Greenshields who when advising the Scott family in Scotland of their relative's death mentioned that he had been acquainted with him for over 15 years. His burial took place in one of the Society's lots in Mount Royal Cemetery on April 9th. At his uncle's request, William Scott had travelled to Montreal, in June, 1829, with a friend of Sir Walter Scott's, Adam Ferrie (the Society's first Vice President) and his family from Glasgow where Adam Ferrie was as well known by the community there as he was in Montreal for "his integrity and great honesty of purpose".Some time later, a very generous donation was sent to the Home by the Hope Scott family at Abbotsford as well as gifts to those who had cared for their relative prior to his death. The family also sent a memento, relating to Sir Walter Scott, to the Society but, unfortunately, this has not been seen in our archives for many years. Two other gifts, however, which were donated to the Society seven years later by Andrew Wilson, remain in our archives and were on display at the McCord Museum during the Sesquicentennial Exhibition. They are two handsomely framed oil paintings, purchased in Scotland. One is a likeness of Sir Walter Scott and the other of Robert Burns.After a period of twenty years, the St. Andrew's Home on Dorchester Street required constant repair and was no longerlarge enough for the Society's needs. Accordingly, preliminary steps were taken in 1886 to acquire a new and appropriate establishment. On May 17th, 1887, a resolution was passed to purchase the house and grounds, known as the Gould property, from the Canadian Pacific Railway Company at a price of $22,500. The house on Dorchester Street having been sold to Mr. John Auld for the sum of $6,750, the transaction for the property was quickly executed and by November 3rd, 1887 the Society's President, R. B. Angus, was welcoming the members to their first meeting in the new Home on Aqueduct Street. He informed them that the total cost including alterations and repairs would be $32,325. This was a major undertaking but the enterprise appealed to the Scottish community and also to the members who took a keen interest in its ' furnishing, a number of them donating "the handsome furnishings of the hall, reception and committee rooms". In addition to providing shelter for the sick and the needy, the Home also provided accommodation for the Scottish Choir's practices, a Sunday School and the meetings of the Caledonian Society which donated an annual contribution of S 100 and for some years $250.An enterprising junior group, named the Daughters of St. Andrew's, was formed in 1905. The first project of the twelve young ladies, daughters of members, was a Tea for the residents of the Old People's Home at Longue Pointe, followed by a Scottish concert. With the concert proceeds they purchased appropriate materials from which they created a large quantity of winter garments for adults and children in need. Their keen efforts were ongoing and in addition to organising a Children's Christmas Party each year, they also supported a young boy in his education at the Hervey Institute on Mountain Street.These are only a few instances of the remarkable work of the Society's volunteers in times of distress, and also during periodsof unemployment and depression in the first seventy years. When funds were urgently required, two phrases repeatedly appear in the Society's records - "raise a subscription" and "organise a concert". When concert attendances numbered at times, 1,500 and 2,000, it is easily understood how their charitable endeavours were so successfully achieved.In 1910, the Aqueduct Street Home was occupied for twelve weeks by twenty-six nurses from the Typhoid Emergency Hospital and after the Great War it was placed at the disposal of the Khaki League Club for the use of returning soldiers. Since the government had finally taken over the responsibility of immigrants in 1914, the Home was no longer the necessity that it had been. The Society decided, therefore, that the amount required for its upkeep and operation would be better utilised in caring for the needy. To the regret of many, especially the Scottish community, the Home was sold to Ernest Cousins Ltd. in 1925 for $40,000, the amount being added to the Society's charitable funds that all too soon would be "utilised in caring for those in need".The Daughters of St. Andrew's Auxiliary amalgamated with the Ladies Committee who were working in conjunction with the Charitable Committee; all of them would soon become dedicated throughout the next several years to alleviating the plight of the needy Scots in Montreal and also those in transit during a period of economic depression unequalled in Canadian history.In order to determine the aid required for those in need, the members of the Ladies Committee made regular visits in the districts "of Cote St. Paul, Hochelaga, Longue Pointe, Maisonneuve, North-end, Pointe St. Charles, Rosemount, St. Henri, Verdun and the City ". At commencement, the regular visits averaged 100 but they would soon number 200 per year in response to rising unemployment. In the year 1930, for example, assistance was given to 200 families and in 1931 the sum dispensed for meals and lodgings to homeless men was $1,118. From the years 1925 to 1933 the total amount of relief given was $44,654 with donations from members for the same period being $23,843; this last amount did not include the annual subscriptions, donations of new clothing and the customary well-filled Christmas hampers, also donated, which in December, 1929 were distributed to 124 families. In addition, the Society also made liberal donations to the relief work of other associations during this critical period.Thanks to the generosity of the Canadian Pacific Ocean Services, Cunard White Star and Robert Reford Company, the Society throughout those critical years was able to buy reduced-rate fares for the destitute who had no choice but to go back to Scotland, thus providing them "with the opportunity to return to Canada in more prosperous times which would not have been possible if they had been deported ".Throughout the years, and particularly in the earlier period, the voluntary medical services provided by the Society's Honorary Physicians were remarkable. Again, in this later period of crisis, Dr. A. E. Vipond, founder of the Montreal Children's Hospital and also the Society's Honorary Physician, attended promptly and willingly to every case of illness brought to his attention, "many owing their restored health to his kindness and skill ".More recently the Charitable Committee became known as the Welfare Committee. It still carries on the Society's traditions of providing for those in need who are of Scottish descent. Also, in certain cases recommended by the Chairman of the committee, the services and assistance of the Honorary Solicitor, Honorary Physician and Honorary Chaplain are available.Following the Society's incorporation in 1858, Bill 130 enacted in 1948 plus other amendments, the Society's By-Laws have now been completely revised. With a broader mandate, the Society's charitable work now extends into the fields of education, youth training, social, artistic and sporting activities. These additional powers allowed for a grant to be given to The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada in 1952 for the organisation of a Junior Pipe Band. Since then, the Society has regularly supported The Black Watch Cadet Corps Pipes and Drums, and in 1999 presented the band with a set of bagpipes. In keeping with the Society's aims to preserve and stimulate Scottish traditions, donations are also given to the Montreal Highland Games, the Montreal Highland Dancing Association and the 78th Fraser Highlanders, the regiment that was re-raised in 1965 by Colonel J. Ralph Harper and David M. Stewart who were both Past Presidents of the Society.

The minutes of 1845 record that several meetings were held during the year "to discuss proposals to form bursaries in the High School with a view to aid deserving Scotch lads in obtaining a superior education" but the motion was not finally adopted. Today, however, on the recommendation of the Education Committee, grants, loans and post-secondary bursaries are available to qualified students of Scottish descent attending colleges and universities. These grants currently represent the bulk of the Society's charitable activities as we support approximately twenty students per year. Funds are also made available to Bishops University, Concordia University, Université de Montréal and the Presbyterian College for the distribution of awards to appropriately qualified candidates.The main source of revenue for the Society's charitable endeavours continues to be the annual Ball plus the proceeds from the other two annual events, the Malt Whisky-Tasting Evening initiated in 1971, and the Burns Supper, the first of which was held at the University Club in 1980.During 1985, the Society established the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal Charitable Fund, which is a registered Canadian charity, thus enabling the Society to issue tax receipts for donations that it receives.Throughout the years the Society has also received a number of legacies, some from immigrants who had long remembered the kindness and aid received from the Society on their arrival in Montreal. In 1947, through the generosity of Lieutenant-Colonel C. W. MacLean, the MacLean Endowment Fund of $5,000 was established to assist promising young students of Scottish descent, in adverse financial conditions, to continue their studies. This fund is still in existence at the present time, as is the Keith Radley Hutchison Award Fund which provides an annual award of $500 to a Black Watch (RHR) of Canada piper of excellent character possessing exceptional piping skills and demonstrating a strong aptitude for playing solo."The Society will continue to flourish if it continues in the spirit in which it was founded". These words are just as valid now as they were in the past and while there are still young people with initiative and interest in their Scottish heritage who are willing to participate in the Society's charitable endeavours, its objectives "will continue to flourish" long into the future."0 Thou, who kindly dost provide For every creature's want,We bless thee, God of Nature wide, For all thy goodness lent:And if it please thee, Heavenly Guide, May never worse be sent;But whether granted, or denied, Lord, bless us with content!"Robert Burns

The First President - Hon. Peter McGillPeter McGill (McCutcheon) was born in August, 1789 at Cree Bridge, Wigtownshire, Scotland, son of John McCutcheon and Mary McGill, sister of the Hon. John McGill, Receiver-General of Upper Canada. At the suggestion of his maternal uncle, he came to Canada in 1809 and engaged in business in Montreal, later founding the mercantile firm - Peter McGill & Co. The Hon. John McGill, being childless, made his nephew his heir, bequeathing to him his extensive and valuable estates, on condition that he assumed the surname of McGill.

In 1819, Peter McGill was elected a Director of the recently founded Montreal Bank (later Bank of Montreal) and by 1834 had been elected President, occupying that position until 1860 when he tendered his resignation. During his lifetime, he performed the duties of many other important offices including Chairman, St. Lawrence & Champlain Railroad Company (first railway company established in Canada), Director, Grand Trunk Railroad of Canada, Governor of McGill College & Montreal General Hospital and Chairman, Colonial Life Assurance, President, Canadian School Society, President, Montreal Bible Society and Lieutenant-Colonel of Militia.He was appointed a member of the Legislative Council of Lower Canada in 1832 and a member of the Executive Council in 1838; after the union of the Provinces, he was made a Legislative Councillor of Canada. In 1847, he was appointed Speaker of the Legislative Council and a member of the Executive Council by the Governor General, the Rt. Hon. Lord Elgin, serving until 1848 when he resigned along with his colleagues in the administration.From 1840 until 1842, he was the first English-speaking Mayor of Montreal, during which period many great improvements were effected in the city. In his civic capacity and as a man of business, Peter McGill was eminent for his intelligence and liberal views; "one of the Province's most worthy citizens", a strictly honourable person who instilled the utmost confidence in others - "he was one of those merchants of whom it is emphatically said, their word is their bond".Dr. G. W. Campbell (one of the Society's first Hon. Physicians) described his friend as "one of nature's noblemen; possessing a massive frame and endowed with physical as well as mental energy, he was such a man as would he chosen a leader in any circumstances". He was an active Presbyterian who was referred to as "a tower of strength" by the congregation of St. Paul's Church where he had been ordained an elder and remained a member until his death on September 28th, 1860. The rain fell in torrents on the day of his burial, but the city's leading citizens were there in very large attendance. Many of the shops on the streets through which the cortege passed were closed out of respect, and the flags of vessels in the harbour were hoisted at half-mast.—Whether as a statesman and politician, a useful and active member of our municipal government, or as a patriotic liberal-minded and philanthropic citizen, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to name tiny man who, in the community of Montreal, or indeed in any community, so deservedlymerited the esteem and regard of his fellowmen as Peter McGill".St. Andrew's Society of Montreal was fortunate to have had such a leader to guide and counsel its members during those first early years. He served as the Society's first President from 1835 to 1842 and then returned as President again from 1844 to 1846. Records show that for many years during and after his term of office he gave much of his time and no small amount of his means to the support of the Society whose members held him in such high regard.

"That man shall flourish like the trees Which by the streamlets grow;The fruitful top is spread on high And firm the root below. "Robert Burns

The Legends of Saint AndrewThe Apostle Andrew, son of Jonas, the Galilean fisherman and brother of Simon Peter, travelled as a missionary through the whole of Asiatic and European Scythia finally arriving in Achaia. He was arrested at Patras on the Gulf of Corinth and, by order of the Roman Consul, crucified being bound with ropes to a cross decussate (diagonal cross or saltire). Early in the fourth century, his remains were carried to Byzantium and honourably interred by order of the Emperor Constantine. During the same century and following the instructions he had received in a vision, the monk Regulus (St. Rule) set sail from Patras with the relics of Saint Andrew. He and his companions were shipwrecked off the east coast of Scotland and in fulfilment of his vision, he built a shrine on the spot where they landed at Kinrymont, placing the relics therein. While there may be some controversy between the traditionalists and the historians regarding the century of this occurrence, the fact remains that pilgrims devoutly visited St. Andrew's Shrine throughout the centuries. During her lifetime in the 11th century, Scotland's saintly Queen Margaret greatly encouraged such pilgrimages and not only instituted a free-passage ferry across the Firth of Forth (North and South Queensferry) to aid the pilgrims but also provided dwellings near to the shrine for their shelter. The site of the shrine eventually became the royal burgh of St. Andrews, known for its magnificent cathedral, which was founded in the twelfth century but, due to many adversities, was not finally completed until 1318 when it was consecrated in the presence of Robert the Bruce, four years after the Battle of Bannockburn. Today, only ruins remain of what was once one of Scotland's finest cathedrals and the relics of the Apostle Andrew have long vanished but thanks to its University, the oldest in Scotland, and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, the town of St. Andrews still remains world-renowned.With reference to a second legend, which relates to the winning of a battle by Pictish and Scottish warriors against Athelstane of Northumbria's army, the following inscription on a simple memorial stone located in the quiet parish churchyard of Athelstaneford in East Lothian, Scotland describes the details: "Tradition says that near this place in times remote Pictish and Scottish warriors about to defeat an army of Northumbrian saw against a blue sky a great white cross like St. Andrew's and made in its image a banner which became the flag of Scotland. "It is related that on the eve of the battle, King Fergus of the Picts had a vision in which Saint Andrew told him to be of good courage and promised him a glorious victory. Thus, according to the legend, Saint Andrew became the patron saint of the Picts and later a united Scotland.While doubt may be cast on the credence of these two legends, the fact remains that for centuries Saint Andrew has been acknowledged as the patron saint of Scotland and the distinctive blue banner with its white saltire is definitely recognised as Scotland's national standard which, in earlier times, the fighting Scots proudly carried into battle to the resounding cry of:"SAINT ANDREW FOR SCOTLAND"

Preamble.Whereas Alexander Morris Hath, by Petition to the Legislature, represented that the Association known as the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal, has for many years been formed for the benevolent purposes of affording pecuniary, medical and other relief, to such natives of Scotland and their descendants, as may from sickness or other causes have fallen into distress, and of aiding, directing and relieving the necessities of Scottish immigrants on their arrival in Canada, and have, for the said purposes, opened and maintained a building in the City of Montreal, known as the St. Andrew's Home, and which is used for the said purposes; and hath prayed that for the better attainment of the objects of the said Association, it may be invested with corporate powers; and by reason of the good effected by the Association, it is expedient to grant the prayer of the said petition: Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and Assembly of Canada, enacts as follows:Incorporation.Name. Powers.1. The said Alexander Morris and William Edmonston, David Brown, William Murray, Ewen McLennan, J.C. Beckett and George Templeton, and such other persons as are now members of the said Society, or shall hereafter become members thereof, under the provisions of this Act, and the by-laws made under the authority thereof, and their successors, shall be and they are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate by the name of the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal and may by any legal title, acquire, receive, hold and enjoy any property whatever, real or personal, moveable or immoveable, and may from time to time sell, manage, develop, lease, hypothecate, mortgage, alienate or otherwise deal therewith in such manner as the said corporation may determine; and in addition to the investments permitted by Article 9810 of the Civil Code may invest the funds and property of the corporation in bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations, preferred stock or common stock of any company on which at least five years consecutive dividends have been paid or of any chartered bank in Canada in which the Committee of Management of the corporation may decide to invest the said funds and property of the corporation. In addition, it shall be lawful for the said corporation to use its fundsAdditional Powers.a. to carry out, among persons of Scottish birth and/or descent, welfare and youth training activities;b. to promote historical, educational, patriotic, social, artistic and sporting activities for the purpose of maintaining Scottish traditions;c. to grant educational aid and assistance to those of Scottish birth and/or descent;d. to cooperate with other Scottish societies in carrying out such activities as aforesaid.Government.2. The affairs and business of the said corporation shall be governed by a Council and managed by a Committee of Management. The said Council shall consist of such number as may be provided by the Corporation's by-laws and shall be elected from among the members in good standing of the corporation in the manner provided by the said by-laws. In addition all surviving past presidents of the corporation shall ex officio be members of council. The said Committee of management shall consist of a president, a first and second vice-presidents, the immediate past president ex officio, an honorary secretary, an honorary treasurer, the chairmen of the charitable committee and the finance committee and of such other chairmen of committees as may be determined from time to time by the council which shall appoint the said officers annually in accordance with the said by-laws.Deeds of the Corporation.3. All deeds sealed with the common seal of the Corporation, and signed by the President or Vice-Presidents, and by some other Member of the Committee of Management, and counter-signed by the Treasurer and none other, shall be held to be Deeds of the Corporation; provided always, that the Treasurer, for the time being, may receive all moneys payable to the Corporation, and grant valid receipts therefor.Proviso.Regulating Power.4. It shall be lawful for the council of the said corporation to make by-laws, for the admission and expulsion of members, and for the proper administration of the property and affairs of the corporation, and from time to time, to repeal, amend, or re-enact such by-laws, but every such by-law and every repeal, amendment or re-enactment thereof, unless in the meantime confirmed at a general meeting of the corporation duly called for that purpose, shall have effect only until the next annual meeting of the corporation, and, in default of confirmation thereat, shall, at and from that time only, cease to be in force.Annual general meetings.5. The Annual and General Meetings of the said Corporation shall be held in such manner, after such notice, upon such requisition, and at such times, in the City of Montreal, as shall be directed by the By-laws of the Corporation.Present By-laws in force until altered.Proviso.6. The By-laws of the said Association, in so far as they may not be repugnant to this Act or the Laws of this Province, shall be the By-laws of the Corporation hereby constituted until they shall be repealed or altered as aforesaid; provided always, that no By-law shall impose a penalty or forfeiture exceeding two dollars.Present officers continue until others are elected.7. Until others shall be elected, according to the Bylaws of the Corporation, the present Officers of the Association shall be those of the said Corporation, that is to say: Alexander Morris, President; the said David Brown shall be the first Vice-President; the said William Edmonstone shall be the second Vice-President; the said William Murray shall be the Treasurer; the said Ewan McLennan shall be the Secretary; the said George Templeton, Assistant Secretary; the Reverend William Snodgrass and the Reverend Alexander Ferrie Kemp, shall be the Chaplains; G. W. Campbell shall be the Physician; and the present Officers thereof shall be Members of the Charitable Committee, and of the Committee of Accounts respectively.

Witnesses in suits where the Corporation is a party.8. No person otherwise competent to be a witness in any suit, action or prosecution in which the said Corporation may be engaged, shall be deemed incompetent to be such witness, by reason of his being or having been a member or officer of the said Corporation.Recovery of subscriptions, &c.Proviso.9. All subscriptions of members due to the Corporation under any By-law, all penalties incurred under any By-law by any person bound thereby, and all other sums of money due to the Corporation, shall be paid to the treasurer thereof, and in default of payment may be recovered in any action brought by him in the name of the Corporation, in any Court of competent civil jurisdiction; Provided always, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent any member from withdrawing at any time from the said Corporation, after payment of all arrears due to the funds thereof, including the annual subscriptions for the year then current, and giving notice in writing of such withdrawal.10. Repealed.Saving of H.M.'s rights, &c.11. Nothing in this Act shall affect any rights of Her Majesty, Her Heirs or Successors, or any party or person whomsoever, such rights only excepted as are herein expressly mentioned and affected.Public Act.12. This Act shall be deemed a Public Act.(Sic)La version française de la charte est disponible auprès de la Société

By-LawsARTICLE I — MEMBERSHIPQualificationApplicationsAssociate Members1. None but Scotsmen or Scotswomen or descendants of natives of Scotland, of good moral character, shall be admitted to membership of the Society.2. Applications for admission to membership shall be submitted on the form prescribed by Council and shall state the candidate's full name, residential and business addresses, profession or occupation, place of birth, and when not of Scottish birth, the candidate's line of descent from a native of Scotland, and whether the application is for Life or Annual membership. Applications shall be signed by the candidate, and by the candidate's proposer and seconder, and forwarded, together with the appropriate subscription, to the Honorary Secretary, who shall immediately submit the application to the Membership Committee.3. Persons who are not qualified for admission to membership under the preceding paragraphs and who are interested in Scottish society and culture may apply for admission as Associate members of the Society in a similar manner, and, if admitted by Council, shall enjoy rights and privileges as a member, save that an Associate member may not vote at meetings of members and may not be an officer of the Society nor a Member of Council.Election4. The Membership Committee shall consider each application for admission to membership and approve or reject the same. Upon approval of an application by the Membership Committee, admission will be by election by open vote at any regularly constituted meeting of Council or at any general meeting of the members of the Society, but if requested by any two members present election shall be by ballot.

Register of MembersAnnual MembersLife MembersHonorary MembersMembers in Arrears5. A register of members shall be kept by the Honorary Secretary and the names and other particulars of all persons elected to membership shall be inscribed therein.6. The subscription of an Annual member to the general funds and the charitable funds of the Society shall be such amount or amounts as Council shall determine from time to time by resolution. The subscription of an Annual member shall be payable upon admission and annually thereafter in advance by each member on the first day of April.7. A candidate for membership or an Annual member upon subscribing to the charitable funds of the Society in a minimum amount to be determined from time to time by Council shall be constituted a Life member of the Society from the date of election or payment, as the case may be, and such Life member shall thereafter not be liable for any further subscription or contribution to the Society.8. The Council may elect distinguished natives of Scotland, their descendants or other distinguished persons as Honorary members of the Society. They shall not have a vote at meetings of members and they shall not be liable for any subscription or contribution to the Society.9. Any Annual member shall, unless he be in indigent circumstances of which the Council shall judge, be deemed to be in arrears if he refuses or neglects to pay his subscription to the Society during the twelve months following the first day of April when payment is due and provided he has been notified by the Honorary Treasurer at least once apart from the usual annual notice calling for payment.A member in arrears may neither vote at meetings nor be eligible for election to Council or any office of the Society.

ResignationAn Annual member deemed in arrears for a full year shall be reported by the Treasurer to the next meeting of Council, who may consider such member to have withdrawn from the Society, in which event Council may order the member's name stricken from the register of members and may direct proceedings to be taken for recovery of amounts due to the Society.10. A member may resign from the Society by letter of resignation addressed to the Society, but such resignation shall only be accepted if the member's current subscription and arrears have first been paid in full.Annual and General MeetingsARTICLE II - MEETINGS1. Subject to the laws governing the Society, the annual general meeting of the members of the Society shall be held in the City of Montreal within six (6) months after the end of the Society's fiscal year, at such time and place as the Council may determine, to elect the Council, to appoint auditors and to transact the general business of the Society. At each annual general meeting, there shall be submitted a full statement of the financial position of the Society together with the auditor's report thereon signed by the President and the Treasurer, and such other records as Council may think advisable.Special General Meetings2. Special general meetings of the members may be called at any time by order of the President of the Society or by resolution of Council and must be called within thirty (30) days of the receipt at the office of the Society of a written requisition signed by not less than ten (10) members acting together. Any such order, resolution or requisition shall specify the object for which the meeting is to be called. The notice of a special general meeting shall state in general terms the purpose of the meeting and no other business than that specified in the notice shall be transacted.The President and in his absence the next higher officer of the Society shall forthwith call the meeting in conformity with the terms of such order, resolution or requisition.Special general meetings of the members shall be held in the City of Montreal at such place as Council may determine.CouncilCommitteesAnnual3. Meetings of Council may be held at such time and place as the President shall order. The first meeting of the newly elected Council for the appointment of officers shall be held immediately following the annual general meeting of the members. At such first meeting of Council, the senior past president present shall act as chairman until the incoming President has been elected. In addition, three other regular meetings shall be held each year on the first Thursday in February, May, and November, unless otherwise determined by resolution of Council or the President.4. Meetings of committees and sub-committees may be held at such time and place as the Chairman of the respective committee may request.ARTICLE III - NOTICE OF MEETINGS1. Notice of the annual general meeting of the members shall be given by the Honorary Secretary and shall be mailed to all members at least fourteen (14) clear days before the date of the meeting. Every member shall furnish the Society with his address for all notices and, if any member shall not furnish an address any notice may be addressed to him at any other address of the member appearing in the register of members. The notice shall include the names of the persons nominated for election to Council in accordance with Article V (2) of the By-laws.Special General2. Notice of any special general meeting of the members shall be given by the Honorary Secretary and shall be mailed to all members at least fourteen (14) clear days before the date of the meeting and shall specify the nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting.

CouncilOther CommitteesQuorumChairman has casting voteComposition Council3. Save in case of emergency where one day's notice shall be sufficient, notice of any meeting of Council shall be given by either the Honorary or General Secretary by mail or telephone to each member of the Council at least five (5) clear days before the date of the meeting.4. Notice of any meeting of other committees orsub-committees shall be given by the Chairman of the respective committee by such means and within such delays as each committee or sub-committee shall decide.ARTICLE IV - QUORUM1. At all annual general meetings of the Society, ten (10) members shall constitute a quorum. Twenty-one (21) members shall constitute a quorum for any special general meeting of members. Five (5) members shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of Council; and a majority of members a quorum at all committee meetings.2. At all meetings, the majority of votes cast by members present shall rule. In case of a tie in voting, the Chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.ARTICLE V - COUNCIL1. In accordance with the Act of Incorporation, the affairs and business of the Society shall be governed by a Council. The Council shall consist of nine (9) members who shall be elected at the annual general meeting of members and shall hold office for one (1) year, or until their successors are elected. In addition, all surviving past presidents of the Society shall ex-officio be members of Council with full voting rights.

NominationsBallot2. Ninety (90) days before the holding of the annual general meeting of members, the General Secretary shall inform members that nominations to Council for the ensuing year may now be submitted. Each individual nomination must be signed by at least ten (10) members in good standing and the nominee's written consent obtained. Nominations, along with written consents of the nominees must be in the hands of the Honorary Secretary at least forty-five (45) days before the date of the annual general meeting. Forthwith after the close of nominations, the Honorary Secretary shall forward all nominations to the Nominating Committee. These nominations shall be included by the Nominating Committee in the list of nominees submitted to the annual general meeting by the Committee.3. If no ballot is required, the chairman at the annual general meeting shall declare the nominees duly elected. If a ballot is required, it shall be secret, the names of all candidates nominated shall be arranged in alphabetical order on a ballot paper and each member present at the meeting shall place a cross on the right hand side of the names desired to be elected; if more than the requisite number of names be marked, the ballot paper shall thereby be voided. Ballot papers shall be signed for authentication on the removable portion, folded and cast by the member voting. Scrutineers appointed by the chairman of the meeting shall count the votes for each nominee and shall report to the chairman in writing, upon which the nine (9) nominees receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.Resignations from Council4. An officer or member of Council may at any time give notice in writing to the Council of his wish to resign, and upon the acceptance of his resignation, his office shall be vacant.His office shall also immediately become vacant if for any reason he ceases to be a member of the Society.Vacancies on Council5. In the event of an office becoming vacant or any vacancy occurring among the members of Council, such vacancy may be filled by the Council, and any officer or member so appointed shall hold office until the next annual general meeting.ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS AND DUTIESOfficersEligibility1. The officers of the Society shall be appointed by Council and shall consist of a President, First and Second Vice-Presidents, an Honorary Treasurer, an Honorary Secretary. The Council may also appoint an Honorary Chaplain, an Honorary Physician and an Honorary Counsel, as well as such other officers as the Council may from time to time determine.2. Except in the cases of the President and Vice-Presidents, officers need not be members of Council.Election3. Election of officers shall take place at the first meeting of the newly constituted Council immediately following the annual general meeting of members. Where there is more than one nomination for any office, the election shall be by secret ballot.Term4. The term of office for each office shall be one (1) year. An officer may be removed from office prior to the expiration of his term or re-elected or reappointed for an additional term or terms.President5. The President, who must be a member of Council, shall, if present, preside at all meetings of the Society and Council. He shall be the chief executive officer of the Society and shall exercise a general supervision over the affairs of the Society. He shall sign the Honorary Treasurer's financial accounts before their submission to the members and report on the proceedings of the Society to the members at least once in every year. He shall represent the Society at appropriate public functions and shall perform such other duties as set out in these By-laws or as directed by resolution of the Society or Council. The President shall be a member ex-officio of all the committees of the Society, except the Nominating Committee.Vice-Presidents6. The Vice-Presidents shall do and perform such duties as from time to time may be assigned to each of them by Council. In the absence of the President, his duties shall devolve on the First Vice-President, or in the absence of both, on the Second Vice-President, who shall have and exercise all the rights and powers of the President. In the absence or inability to act of all three, the President shall nominate his representative, and in the case of meetings, a chairman shall be elected by the meeting.Honorary Treasurer7. The Honorary Treasurer shall receive the subscriptions and other moneys owing to the Society and deposit them in a chartered bank to the credit of the Society. He shall dispose of the Society's funds as Council may direct, keep regular and correct accounts, prepare proper financial statements at the end of each fiscal year of the Society, which he shall sign along with the President before their submission to the members. He shall report to Council of members in arrears of subscriptions and perform such other duties as he may from time to time be directed by resolution of Council. He shall perform all the acts incidental to the office of Treasurer subject to the control of Council and shall have such powers and duties as Council may by resolution direct. The Honorary Treasurer shall be a member ex-officio of the Welfare and Finance committees.Honorary Secretary8. The Honorary Secretary shall have the custody of the Seal and Badges or other Insignia of the Society. He shall notify members of the Society and Council, when directed in accordance with these By-laws, of all meetings to be held, record proceedings of the meetings, keep the register of members and other journals of the Society, notify new members of their election and upon the order of Council, strike from the register of members the names of such persons as by the terms of Article 1 (9) of these By-laws shall have forfeited their membership. He shall have charge of the records and copies of all reports made by the Society and such other books and papers as Council may direct. He shall be responsible for the keeping and filing of all the books, reports, certificates and other documents required by law to be kept and filed by the Society and not required to be kept by some other officer or agent of the Society. He shall perform all the acts incidental to the office of Secretary subject to the control of Council, and shall have such other powers and duties as Council may by resolution direct.Honorary Chaplains9. The Honorary Chaplains shall perform the religious duties customary at the meetings of the Society and promote, by their counsel and advice, harmony and goodwill amongst the members. They shall also visit such sick and distressed persons as may be recommended to their attention by the Chairman of the Welfare Committee.Honorary Physician10. The Honorary Physician shall give advice and assistance to such sick or maimed persons as may be recommended to his care by the Chairman of the Welfare Committee.Honorary Counsel11. Honorary Counsel shall provide such legal advice and assistance to Council, the committees of the Society and such persons as may be recommended to Honorary Counsel by the President or the Chairman of the Welfare Committee.Removal12. Council may, by resolution, remove for any reason whatsoever any officer of the Society and elect or appoint another in his place.Vacancy13. Vacancies occurring amongst the officers during the year may be filled for the remainder of the term by Council from amongst those qualified in accordance with these By-laws.ARTICLE VII - ASSISTANTSGeneral SecretaryCommittee of ManagementThe Council may from time to time appoint a General Secretary or such other assistants as may be determined, and shall fix their respective rates of compensation. Such assistants shall attend meetings of the Society and Council as the President shall direct, but shall have no right to vote or join in the deliberations of meetings unless requested by the chairman of each meeting. In the absence of the Honorary Secretary, his duties shall devolve upon the General Secretary who shall also perform such other duties as the President and/or the Council may from time to time direct.ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES1. The committees of the Society shall consist of the Committee of Management the Education Committee, Finance Committee, Membership and Activities Committee, Nominating Committee, Welfare Committee and such other committees as may, from time to time, be appointed by Council.2. The Committee of Management shall manage the affairs and the business of the Society and shall report to and be under the control of Council.Education Committee3. The Education Committee shall administer and supervise the disbursement and distribution of funds allotted for educational purposes by Council. It shall report to and be under the control of Council.Finance CommitteeMembership Activities Committee4. The Finance Committee shall have charge of all the invested funds of the Society, which shall be kept in safe-keeping at a chartered bank, trust company or other financial institution. The Committee shall make recommendations from time to time concerning investment policy and objectives and the proper investment of the surplus funds of the Society, if any, and sums accruing to the Permanent Fund, all in accordance with Section 1 of the Act of Incorporation and Article XII of these By-laws. The Finance Committee shall recommend ways and means of raising funds to carry on the affairs and business of the Society, should the subscriptions of the members and other income of the Society be found insufficient for the purpose.The Honorary Treasurer of the Society shall ex-officio be a member of the Committee.5. The Membership and Activities Committee shall consider all applications for membership in the Society as expeditiously as possible after they are received, and either approve or reject each application. The Committee shall submit applications so approved to the next meeting of Council for election.The Committee shall organize and supervise all special events and activities sponsored by the Society and approved by the Council.Nominating Committee 6. The Nominating Committee shall comprise all surviving past presidents willing to serve and able to attend meetings of the Nominating Committee.This Committee shall meet not less than thirty (30) days before the date set for holding the annual general meeting of members to prepare and recommend a slate of nominees to fill all or any of the required number of nominations for election to Council. All nominations, whether made by the Committee or the members at large, shall be included in the notice of the annual general meeting sent to members.The Nominating Committee may also advise Council of those whom they recommend be elected or appointed by Council as officers of the Society for the ensuing year.The senior past president attending the meeting of the Nominating Committee shall act as chairman. A member of the Nominating Committee, or such member of Council as may be designated by the Committee, shall communicate with each nominee and obtain advice of his acceptance or refusal of nomination and forthwith report all accepted nominations and recommendations to Council so as to cause no delay in the issue of the notice calling the annual general meeting.St. Andrew's Ball CommitteeWelfare Committee7. The St. Andrew's Ball Committee shall organize and supervise the annual Ball sponsored by the Society. This Committee shall report directly to and be subject to the control of Council.8. The Welfare Committee shall enquire into the circumstances and conditions of applicants for relief, visit the indigent and infirm and dispense the Society's bounty, advise on ways and means to raise funds required to meet and provide for the charitable purposes of the Society and assist in the raising of such funds, the whole in a manner which shall be in conformity with the regulations and restrictions prescribed in the Act of Incorporation, these By-laws and the resolutions of the Council. For these purposes the Welfare Committee shall meet as often as necessary.The Honorary Treasurer of the Society shall be a member ex-officio of this Committee.Other9. Special committees such as Academic Liaison, Aid to Immigrants, Archives, Artistic, Cadet Pipes and Drums, Historical, Home for the Aged, Junior, Patriotic, Social, Sporting, and any other committees deemed necessary or desirable to further the objects of the Society in accordance with the Act of Incorporation may be appointed or dissolved from time to time by resolution of Council.Chairmen & Reporting10. The Chairmen and members of committees referred to in this Article VIII need not be members of Council. The Chairman of each Committee shall be responsible and report directly to Council.Reports12. All committees shall report to Council as frequently as required but at least once in each year.ARTICLE IX - SEAL, INSIGNIA AND BADGESSeal1. The Common Seal of the Society shall be a design formed of the Arms of Scotland with the motto, "Nemo me impune lacessit" and around which shall be engraved the name of the Society and the date of organization.Insignia2. The insignia of the Society shall consist of the figure of Saint Andrew with his cross, Scottish thistles to his right and left surmounted on the motto.Badges3. The President's badge shall be a medallion of silver, bearing in relief the cross of Saint Andrew within an azure blue enameled background, surrounded by the motto in silver letters.The Vice-President's badge shall be a medallion of silver, bearing in relief the cross of Saint Andrew surrounded by the motto.The President and Vice-Presidents, or his or their representative, may, upon ceremonial occasions, wear the badge of office suspended from a chain of thistles in silver or from a regulation ribbon of azure blue around the neck.ARTICLE X - FISCAL YEARFiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Society shall end on the 31St day of December.

Accounts2. The Council shall cause the Society to keep proper accounting records with respect to all financial and other transactions of the Society and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall cause the Society to keep records of all sums of money received and disbursed by it and all matters in respect of which receipt and disbursement take place, all sales and purchases by it, all assets and liabilities and all other transactions affecting its financial position.The accounting records shall be kept at the office of the Society or at such other place in the City of Montreal as the Society may think fit and shall at all times be open to inspection by Council.Audit3. The members shall at each annual general meeting appoint an auditor to audit the accounts of the Society for submission to the members at the next annual general meeting. The auditor shall have access to all books, vouchers, and accounts of the Society and all documents having reference to the business thereof. The remuneration of the auditor shall be fixed by Council. All other rights and duties of the auditor of the Society shall be regulated by the laws governing the Society.ARTICLE XI - ST. ANDREW'S BALLSt. Andrew's BallAs the benevolent and charitable views of the Society will be greatly promoted by social intercourse among the members, the Society may hold a Ball on the last Friday in November or on such other date as may be deemed appropriate according to circumstances.ARTICLE XII - PERMANENT FUNDPermanent Fund1. Endowments and bequests to the Society and all Life Membership subscriptions shall be invested and kept invested as a Permanent Fund apart from the general invested funds of the Society. Investments shall be made in accordance with Section 1 of the Act of Incorporation and only the income therefrom shall be applied to the general purposes of the Society, unless the deed of donation or terms of the bequest direct otherwise.Donations Grants Bursaries2. Any persons, groups, or institutions who may be designated as recipients or beneficiaries of any welfare, grant, gift, loan, bursary, donation, aid, relief or assistance of any sort or nature whatsoever must be or be comprised of or represent or include persons of Scottish birth and or descent residing in the Province of Quebec, except in cases specifically approved by resolution of Council.ARTICLE XIII - BANKINGBank Accounts in Name of Society1. By resolution of Council, a bank account or accounts may be opened and maintained at any chartered bank in the name of the Society. Cheques drawn on such account or accounts shall be signed on behalf of the Society by any two of the President, the Vice-Presidents, the Honorary Treasurer and the Honorary Secretary and when so signed shall be binding on the Society.Bank Accounts in Name of a Committee of the Society

By resolution of Council, a bank account or accounts may be opened and maintained at any chartered bank in the name of any Committee of the Society. Cheques drawn on the credit balance in such account or accounts shall be signed on behalf of the Committee by the Chairman and one other member thereof.

ARTICLE XIV - CONTRACTS, DEEDS, ETC.Execution of DeedsAll contracts, agreements, deeds, leases, transfer of shares, engagements, bonds and other securities and similar documents requiring the signature of the Society shall be signed and executed in the name and on behalf of the Society by the President or a Vice-President and countersigned by the Honorary Treasurer and, if required, the Common Seal of the Society shall be affixed thereto.ARTICLE XV - INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF COUNCILEvery Officer and Member of Council of the Society and his heirs, executors and administrators and estate and effects respectively, shall be indemnified and saved harmless out of the funds of the Society, from time to time and at all times, from and against (a) all costs, charges and expenses whatsoever which such Officer or Member of Council sustains or incurs in or about any action, suit or proceeding which is brought, commenced or prosecuted against him, for or in respect of any act, deed, matter or thing whatsoever, heretofore or hereafter made, done or permitted by him, in or about the execution of the duties of his office and (b) all other costs, charges and expenses that he sustains, or incurs, in and about or in relation to the affairs thereof, except such costs, charges or expenses as are occasioned by his own willful neglect or default.Without in any way limiting the powers of the Society, the Society may insure against the Society's liability in respect of any of the losses, damages, costs, charges and expenses for which it may be liable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Article XV and may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Officer or Member of Council and his heirs, executors, administrators and estate and effects, against any liability in respect of the aforesaid losses, damages, costs, charges and expenses all such insurance to be in such amounts and with such insurers as Council may determine and the Society may duly and reasonably pay all premiums and other sums of money payable for that purpose with such contribution, if any, by the Officers and Members of Council as may be determined by Council from time to time.ARTICLE XVI - ALTERATION OF BY-LAWSAmending By-lawsThe Council may from time to time amend, repeal or reenact the By-laws but every such By-law and every amendment, repeal or re-enactment thereof, unless in the meantime confirmed at a general meeting of the members of the Society duly called for that purpose, shall have effect only until the next annual general meeting of the members and, in default of confirmation thereat, shall at and from that time only, cease to be in force.ARTICLE XVII - INTERPRETATIONInterpretation1. In these By-laws, unless there be something in the context inconsistent therewith:(a) words, terms and expressions shall have the same meanings as corresponding words, terms and expressions used in the Charter of St. Andrew's Society of Montreal as it may be amended from time to time;(b) words in the singular shall include the plural and vice versa;(c) words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender and vice versa; and(d) "The Society' shall mean The St. Andrew's Society of Montreal.

Honorary MembersThe Rt. Hon. The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, KT, LLD, DLitt, JP The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Dalhousie, KT, GBE, MCCapt. Alexander Ramsay of Mar, FRICS, DLThe Rt. Hon. The Earl of Minto, OBE, JPMGen The Rt. Hon. The Earl Cathcart, CB, DSO, MCThe Lady EphinstoneThe Viscount MelgundLord RamsayHis Worship, Mr. Pierre Bourque, Mayor of Montreal, OC, CQReferencesCampbell, Rev. Robert: A Summary of the First Fifty Years of the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal, St. Andrew's Society of Montreal, 1885Mackay, The Hon. Mr. Justice K. C.: St. Andrew's Society of Montreal Handbook, St. Andrew's Society of Montreal, 1973Shearer, John: Centennial History of the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal, St. Andrew's Society of Montreal, 1935Various: Minutes of meetings and the records of the Society, St. Andrew's Society of Montreal, 1835-2000Cover Image: Detail of the Chain of Office of the President of the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal. Obtained in Edinburgh by the Society in 1835.

About Us

Founded in 1835, the St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal is a charitable society dedicated to the assistance of Montreal’s Scottish community, to education, and to the preservation of Scottish arts and culture.